France Rocked by Widespread Unrest, Curfews Imposed
Violent clashes lead to criminal charges for 80% of those arrested as government blames 'ultra-left' elements.
Sarah Connor
Up to 800,000 demonstrators have been involved in nationwide unrest across France.
In Paris, diners sipped drinks at a cafe, even as fires raged in the background during the riots. Marseille implemented a ban on public gatherings, while Denain enforced a night-time curfew.
Minister Lecornu attributed the violent clashes to criminal elements and the ultra-left. Peaceful protests over the cost of living, education standards, and Emmanuel Macron's leadership were hijacked, as balaclava-clad thugs unleashed horrific violence across France.
Eighty percent of those arrested during the weekend rioting now face criminal charges. Approximately 1,000 police officers sustained injuries during the disturbances.
More than 2,000 shops and businesses were directly impacted by the weekend's violence. Furlough measures will become available for affected businesses starting Tuesday.
An operation of around 200 investigators begins in Paris, tasked with analyzing footage of the weekend's events. The US Embassy in France issued an alert, advising its citizens to avoid areas affected by the recent demonstrations; China and Germany issued similar warnings.